What PARAMETERS AND MEASUREMENTS are critical to your application?

Make a list of the measurements desired, noting any spec requirements, as well as measurements like averages or accumulations.

This list should include parameters such as wind speed and direction, temperature, etc. (See common met sensors below.) Don’t forget about calculated parameters such as wind chill and heat index – combinations of temperature and wind speed or relative humidity. Additional, optional sensors may be needed for specific requirements.

Sensor specifications, such as accuracy and resolution, can be a consideration. For example, the Doppler radar rain gauge in the Pulsar Weather Station offers precipitation resolution of 0.0004 inches. This might be overkill for most applications, but necessary for others. The Capricorn FLX’s tipping bucket rain gauge offers 0.01 inch resolution -- a difference in spec and, correspondingly, price.

Different sensor configurations offer different benefits. All-in-one sensor modules such as Orion and Pulsar weather stations offer ease of installation and low maintenance, as well as heated sensors for cold climates. Modular sensor suites, such as the Capricorn FLX weather station, offer individual sensor placement according to meteorological best practices, as well as more varied sensor options.